Modular sub-cabinet for motion furniture

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a sub-cabinet readily insertable and removable from a larger decorative cabinet. The invention is comprised of a box-like structure having at least three panels perpendicularly disposed with respect to a floor panel and attached thereto, a lift vertically disposed within the box-like structure and fastened thereto, and a control module disposed within the box-like structure and fastened thereto. The control module receives commands from a limit switch so as to stop the lift motion when fully retracted or extended. Furthermore, the control module regulates electrical power to a display device fastened to the lift based upon the direction of travel of the support unit. The control module receives function commands from either a wireless remote or a switch. An alternate embodiment of the present invention further comprises a safety strip attached about an edge along one or more panels adjacent to a movable lid hinged to a decorative cabinet. The safety strip communicates with the control module so as to reverse the direction of the lift when contacted. Another embodiment of the present invention further comprises one or more storage areas within the box-like structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a mechanically andelectrically integrated sub-cabinet for use within a larger decorativecabinet. Specifically, the invention is a box-like structure having amotorized lift, a control module and a safety strip mechanicallyintegrated therein and electrically connected so as to control operationof the lift.

2. Description of the Related Art

Television designs are focused on low-profile devices including but notlimited to plasma screens and LCD panels. Low-profile televisionsmaximize viewing area and minimize unit depth. However, designs areinherently less decorative, less physically stable, and heavier thantube-based televisions.

Aesthetic and stability deficiencies of low-profile televisions areaddressed by housing the television within a cabinet. In suchapplications, the low-profile television is extended from and retractedinto a cabinet via a lift. The application of a lift within a cabinet,desk, mirror, or picture frame is referred to herein as motionfurniture.

Lift devices increase the complexity and cost of furniture manufactureand thereby limit their application to the high-end market. Conventionalfurniture design for the mass market is generally limited to wood andplastic construction with a decorative finish and minimal moving parts.Electrically powered mechanisms are generally not offered inconventional furniture since most manufacturers are neither facilitizednor staffed for the installation of wiring, couplings, and electricalcomponents.

Lift devices also decrease the reliability of furniture via theintroduction of electrically powered and mechanically movablecomponents. As such, component repair and replacement increases the costof ownership and reduces affordability.

What is required is a modular unit both mechanically and electricallyintegrated so as to provide a slide-in solution for decorative furniturethereby reducing the manufacturing costs and complexities associatedwith the integration of lift technology into furniture for the massmarket.

What is required is a modular unit both mechanically and electricallyintegrated so as to facilitate the rapid and low-cost repair and/orreplacement of electrically powered and mechanically movable componentsthereby improving the affordability of lift technology in furniture forthe mass market.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a modular sub-cabinetthat is both mechanically and electrically integrated so as to provide aslide-in solution for lift technology applicable to decorativefurniture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a modularsub-cabinet that is both mechanically and electrically integrated so asto facilitate the rapid and low-cost repair and/or replacement ofelectrically powered and mechanically movable lift technology.

The present invention is a sub-cabinet insertable and removable from alarger decorative cabinet. The invention is comprised of a box-likestructure having at least three panels perpendicularly disposed withrespect to a floor panel and attached thereto, a lift verticallydisposed within the box-like structure and fastened to one panel, and acontrol module disposed within the box-like structure and fastenedthereto. The control module receives commands from a limit switch so asto stop the motion of the lift when fully extended or retracted.Furthermore, the control module terminates electrical power to atelevision fastened to the lift when retracting into the box-likestructure. The control module receives function commands from either awireless remote or a manual switch.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention further comprises asafety strip attached about an edge along one or more panels adjacent toa movable lid hinged to a decorative cabinet. The safety stripcommunicates with the control module so as to reverse the direction ofthe lift when contacted. While various types of safety strip devices areapplicable to the present invention, preferred embodiments include apressure sensitive device.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, one or more storageareas are provided within the box-like structure.

Two advantages are offered by the present invention. The inventionreduces the cost and complexity associated with the assembly of motionfurniture by providing a single, fully functional slide-in componentcapable of extending and retracting a television from decorativefurniture or a computer display from office furniture. The inventionincreases the affordability of motion furniture within the mass marketvia a modular design that allows for the rapid removal and replacementof a defective unit.

The present invention is applicable to a variety of uses. For example,the invention may be used to extend and retract a television, computerdisplay or other electronic component from a decorative cabinet at thefoot of a bed, a decorative cabinet against a wall, a decorative cabinetbuilt into the foot of a bed, a picture frame, a mirror, a night stand,or a desk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the present invention showingtelevision, lift and control module within sub-cabinet.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the present invention showing liftextended and television above sub-cabinet.

FIG. 3 is a top elevation view of the present invention showingtelevision, lift and control module within sub-cabinet structure.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the present invention showing openingallowing access to lift and control module.

FIGS. 5-6 are side elevation views of the present invention showinghandle opening and mounting holes.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of an exemplary decorative cabinet.

FIG. 8 is a section view of the exemplary decorative cabinet withtelevision retracted into sub-cabinet.

FIG. 9 is a section view of the exemplary decorative cabinet withtelevision extended from sub-cabinet.

FIG. 10 is a top elevation view of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention having a storage area adjacent to the television.

FIG. 11 is a section view of the decorative cabinet with sub-cabinethaving several shelves within the storage area.

FIG. 12 is a top elevation view of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention having a front panel and a safety strip disposed alongthe upper edge of the cabinet.

FIG. 13 is a section view showing safety strip secured along the upperedge.

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the alternate embodiment describedin FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment having ashelf separating television from component storage areas.

FIG. 16 is an interior view of decorative cabinet showing closer deviceattached between lid and cabinet wall.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an exemplary lift device with supportunit retracted.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the exemplary lift device with supportunit extended.

FIG. 19 is an elevation view of the rear of the exemplary lift showingscrew, motor, limit switch, and elevator element.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view showing motor attached to base plate anddirectly coupled to drive screw.

FIG. 21 is a section view of elevator element showing coupling ofelevator plate to rails via T-shaped guides.

FIG. 22 is a section view showing drive screw coupled to elevatorelement via a nut.

FIG. 23 is a partial section view of end plate showing attachment ofscrew and limit switch rod thereto.

FIG. 24 is a section view showing attachment of horizontal supportelement to vertical support element.

FIG. 25 is a section view showing T-shaped guide slidably disposedbetween rails and fastened to vertical support elements.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram of motion control circuit for an exemplaryembodiment.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Lift-   2 Base unit-   3 Support unit-   4 Vertical support element-   5 Horizontal support element-   6 Bracket-   7 Motor-   8 Drive screw-   9 Coupler-   10 Rail-   11 Base plate-   12 End plate-   13 Stiffener-   14 Elevator element-   15 Limit switch-   16 Stop-   17 Fastener-   18 Washer-   19 Horizontal rest-   20 Fastener-   21 Nut-   22 Elevator plate-   23 T-shaped guide-   24 Fastener-   25 Power cord-   26 Fastener-   27 Rod-   28 Controller/transformer-   29 Remote control receiver-   30 Fastener-   31 Mounting hole-   32 Bracket-   33 Nut-   34 Upper end-   35 Lower end-   36 Mounting cap-   37 Flange-   38 Washer-   100 Sub-cabinet-   101 Left panel-   102 Right panel-   103 Back panel-   104 Floor panel-   105 Television-   106 Control module-   107 Mounting hole-   108 Opening-   109 Handle opening-   110 Decorative cabinet-   111 Lid-   112 Storage area-   113 Door-   114 Front panel-   115 Safety strip-   116 Shelf-   117 Component storage area-   118 Component storage area-   119 Bracket-   120 Bracket-   121 Closer-   122 Pin-   123 Pin-   124 Wall-   125 Socket-   126 Switch-   127 Fastener-   128 Shelf-   129 Cabinet front-   130 Edge

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention, herein asub-cabinet 100, is shown comprised of a box-like structure within whichis secured a lift 1 and a control module 106. FIG. 2 shows theembodiment described in FIG. 1 whereby the lift 1 is extended so thatthe television 105 attached to the lift 1 resides above the sub-cabinet100.

The box-like structure is constructed of a left panel 101, a right panel102, a back panel 103, and a floor panel 104. Panel elements are planarshaped and composed of wood, preferably plywood or particle board.Panels are fastened into the desired shape via assembly techniquesunderstood in the art. For example, left panel 101 and right panel 102are secured to opposite ends of back panel 103 and floor panel 104 viaflat head screws or recessed bolts. Thereafter, back panel 103 issecured to floor panel 104 via the fasteners described. Overlappingjoints between panel elements are further strengthened via a wood glue.In some applications, dowels are inserted into mutually opposed holesalong the joint between two panels. In other applications, it may bedesired to further strengthen joints via the inclusion of molding nailedor screwed to the panels along the joint.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, left panel 101 and right panel 102 eachhave a handle opening 109 a and 109 b, respectively. Handle openings 109a, 109 b facilitate movement of the sub-cabinet 100 as well as provide ahand grip during insertion and removal of the sub-cabinet 100 from acabinet. Left panel 101, right panel 102, and back panel 103 may alsoinclude one or more mounting holes 107, see 107 a and 107 b in FIG. 4,107 c and 107 d in FIG. 5, and 107 e and 107 f in FIG. 6. Mounting holes107 a-107f should be of sufficient diameter for the passage of a screwor bolt for the attachment of the sub-cabinet 100 to a larger cabinet.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lift 1 is fastened to the back panel103 via a pair of fasteners 127 a, 127 b, preferably flat head screws orbolts recessed within the back panel 103. The lift 1 is verticallydisposed within the sub-cabinet 100 and perpendicular to the floor panel104. An opening 108 is provided along one end of the back panel 103adjacent to the floor panel 104 so as to allow access to motor 7, drivescrew 8 and control module 106. The control module 106 is fastened tothe floor panel 104 at a location so as to avoid interference with theoperation of the lift 1.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary decorative cabinet 110 having an interiorcavity of sufficient physical dimensions so as to accommodate theinsertion of a sub-cabinet 100. Referring now to FIG. 8, the interior ofthe decorative cabinet 110 is shown having a sub-cabinet 100 positionedalong a wall 124 of the decorative cabinet 110 and fastened thereto viabolts or screws passing through the mounting holes 107 a and 107 bdescribed above. In this embodiment, the sub-cabinet 100 occupies aportion of the total interior volume of the decorative cabinet 110.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the lift 1 is shown extended so that thetelevision 105 is visibly displayed. During the extension of the lift 1,contact is achieved between lift 1 and a lid 111 hinged to thedecorative cabinet 110. The lid 111 is freely movable thereby allowingthe unimpeded movement of the lift 1. During retraction of the lift 1and television 105 into the sub-cabinet 100, the weight of the lid 111ensures movement to its original closed position shown in FIG. 8.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention is shown wherein the sub-cabinet 100 occupies the entireinterior volume of the decorative cabinet 110. A storage area 112 isprovided in front of the television 105. While a variety ofconfigurations are possible for the storage area 112, an exemplaryembodiment may include one or more shelves 128 a-128 c horizontallydisposed between and fastened, via techniques described above, to leftpanel 101 and right panel 102. A single horizontally hinged door 113, asshown in FIG. 11, or a pair of vertically hinged elements are providedalong the cabinet front 129 to provide access to the storage area 112.The described door 113 should be of sufficient dimensional extent so asto allow insertion and removal of sub-cabinet 100 from decorativecabinet 110.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 14, an additional embodiment of thepresent invention is shown having a front panel 114 parallel to the backpanel 103 and fastened to left panel 101 and right panel 102, viaconstruction techniques described above. The front panel 114 maycompletely shield the interior of the sub-cabinet 100 or partiallyshield the interior as represented in FIG. 14. The front panel 114 mayfunction as a protective cover preventing damage to the television 105when stored within the decorative cabinet 110. Also, the front panel 114may be desired to further stiffen the structure of the sub-cabinet 100.

Referring to FIG. 12, an optional safety strip 115 is shown attachedalong one end of the panels comprising the sub-cabinet 100. It isequally possible for the safety strip 115 to be placed along a portionof the exposed edge 130. FIG. 13 shows an exemplary safety strip 115 asit might appear along the edge 130 of the sub-cabinet 100 adjacent tothe lid 111. While a variety of attachment techniques are possibleincluding but not limited to mechanical fasteners, it is preferred toadhesively bond the safety strip 115 to the edge 130.

Referring to FIG. 15, a further embodiment is shown having a shelf 1 16horizontally disposed and below the television 105. The shelf 116 may beattached to and moved by the lift 1. The shelf 116 prevents theintrusion of wires and cables within the sub-cabinet 100 into componentstorage areas 117 and 118 to either side of the lift 1 . Componentstorage areas 117 and 118 should be sufficiently voluminous so as toaccommodate a VCR, DVD, receiver unit or other device commonly foundwithin an entertainment center.

Referring now to FIG. 16, a spring or gas-filled closer 121, commonlyknown within the art, is shown rotatably disposed within the sub-cabinet100. The closer 121 is attached at one end via a pin 123 to a bracket119 thereafter fastened to the lid 111 and at the other end via a pin122 to a bracket 120 thereafter fastened to the back panel 103. Thecloser 121 provides for a more controlled opening and closing of thehinged lid 111 during extension and retraction of the lift 1.

While a variety of mechanical lifts known within the art are applicableto the present invention, preferred embodiments are comprised of thedevice shown and described below. Referring now to FIG. 17, a preferredlift 1 is shown in its retracted state wherein a support unit 3 istelescoped about a base unit 2. Whereas, FIG. 18 shows the same lift 1having the support unit 3 extended above the base unit 2.

Referring again to FIG. 18, the base unit 2 is comprised of a base plate11, four rails l0 a-10 d, an end plate 12, and a stiffener 13. The baseplate 11 is a U-shaped element fabricated from sheet metal, preferablysteel. Rails 10 a-10 d are either solid or hollow in construction,preferably having a square or rectangular cross section. Rails 10 a-10 dare arranged in pairs, 10 a-10 b and 10 c-10 d, to either side of theU-shaped base plate so that one end of each rail 10 a-10 d contacts thebase plate 11 adjacent to the lower end 35, as described in FIG. 19.Rails l0 a-l0 d are welded or fastened to the base plate 11, viatechniques understood in the art, so as to be upwardly disposed andperpendicular to the base plate 11. Rails 10 a-10 b and 10 c-10 d arearranged so as to be physically separated by a uniform gap. The spacingbetween pairs of rails 10 a-10 b, 10 c -10 d enables T-shape guides 23a-23 d to slide along the rails l0 a-10 d. An end plate 12 of sheetmetal construction is welded or fastened to the end of rails 10 a-10 dat the upper end 34, as described in FIG. 19. A stiffener 13 of sheetmetal construction is welded to the frontmost rails 10 b-10 c orbackmost rails 10 a-10 d so as to minimize flexure of the base unit 2during operation. Optional brackets 32 are welded or fastened to thebase plate 12 to further stiffen the base unit 2, as shown in FIG. 20.

Referring again to FIG. 18, the support unit 3 is comprised of a pair ofseparately disposed and parallel vertical support elements 4 a-4 bthereby fastened to a pair of likewise separately disposed and parallelhorizontal support elements 5 a-5 b. A pair of separately disposed andparallel horizontal rests 19 a-19 b are secured by fasteners 24 a-24 bto one end of the vertical support elements 4 a-4 b, as shown in FIG.18. Horizontal support elements 5 a-5 b, vertical support elements 4 a-4b, and horizontal rests 19 a-19 b are fabricated from metal, preferablysteel or aluminum, having a solid or hollow cross section. Mountingholes 31 a-31 d are provided along horizontal support elements 5 a-5 bso as to accommodate hardware to secure the low-profile television 105to the support unit 3.

Referring now to FIG. 24, horizontal support elements 5 a-5 b aresecured to vertical support elements 4 a-4 b via brackets 6 a-6 d andfasteners 30 a-30 d so to provide adjustability for various mountingrequirements. Brackets 6 a-6 d have a hollow cross section so as tofacilitate sliding movement along the vertical support elements 4 a-4 b.Brackets 6 a-6 d are locked in place by tightening a fastener 30 a-30 dinto the vertical support element 4 a-4 b. Brackets 6 a-6 d are fixed tothe horizontal support elements 5 a-5 b via flanges 37 a-37 b. Flanges37 a-37 d are welded, via techniques understood in the art, tohorizontal support elements 5 a-5 b and brackets 6 a-6 d. Brackets 6 a-6d and flanges 37 a-37 d are fabricated from metal, preferably steel oraluminum.

Referring again to FIG. 19, motor 7 and drive screw 8 are shown paralleland equidistant from rails 10 a-10 b and rails 10 c-10 d. Arepresentative drive screw 8 is a threaded rod of linear extentfabricated from a metal, preferably steel. Also shown in FIG. 19 is alimit switch 15 having a rod 27 projecting from one end so as to spanthe distance between base plate 11 and end plate 12. Stops 16 a- 16 bcomposed of a metal cylinder with set screw are secured to the rod 27adjacent to base plate 11 and end plate 12.

Referring now to FIG. 20, the motor 7 is secured to the base plate 12via fasteners 17 a-17 c. While various motor 7 types are applicable tothe present invention, preferred embodiments were reversible and DCpowered. One specific example being a 24V motor, model number 403.979manufactured by Valeo Auto-Electric Wischer und Motoren GmbH (Motors andActuators Division) with an office at Stuttgarter Strasse 119 D-74321Bietigheim, Germany.

An optional pair of washers 18 a-18 b is disposed about the base plate11 for each fastener 17 a-17 c so as to prevent direct contact betweenmotor 7 and base plate 11. It is preferred that washers 18 a-18 b becomposed of a vibration damping material, examples including but notlimited to elastomers, polymers, and lead. A rotating shaft extendingfrom the motor 7 is directly coupled to the drive screw 8 via a coupler9. The coupler 9 is a metal cylinder having a cavity conforming to theend of both rotating shaft and drive screw 8. The drive screw 8 extendsabove the coupler 9 passing through the elevator element 14, as shown inFIGS. 21 and 22, and secured to the end plate 12, as shown in FIG. 23.

Referring again to FIG. 20, the limit switch 15 is fastened to the baseplate 12 via nuts 33 a-33 b. The rod 27 extends above the base plate 12passing through a hole in the elevator plate 22, as shown in FIG. 21,and secured to the end plate 12, as shown in FIG. 23. The rod 27 isfreely movable along its length so that contact between elevator plate22 and stops 16 a or 16 b move the rod 27 thereby communicating a STOPcommand to the motor 7 from the limit switch 15. While limit switches 15are known within the art, preferred embodiments of the present inventionwere composed of a mechanically activated two position electricaldevice.

Referring now to FIG. 21, the elevator element 14 is shown comprised ofan elevator plate 22, a pair of T-shaped guides 23 a, 23 c, and a nut21. The preferred elevator plate 22 is shaped as shown in FIG. 21approximately 1-inch thick and composed of a metal having a cavitycentrally located along its planar extent to accommodate the nut 21. OneT-shaped guide 23 c of comparable thickness to the elevator plate 22 ispositioned so that it partially occupies the space between two rails l0c-10 d. A second T-shaped guide 23 a is positioned so as to contact tworails 10 a-10 b on the opposite side of the base unit 2. A fastener 24 bpasses through horizontal rest 19 b, vertical support element 4 b, andT-shaped guide 23 c and thereafter threaded into a cavity within theelevator plate 22 so as to secure components to each other and to therails 10 c-10 d. A likewise arrangement secures T-shaped guide 23 b,vertical support element 4 a, and horizontal rest 19 to the opposite endof the elevator plate 22.

The T-shaped guides 23 a, 23 c prevent contact between vertical supportelements 4 a-4 b and rails 10 a-10 d, as well as between elevator plate22 and rails 10 a-10 d. Furthermore, the pair of T-shaped guides 23 a,23 c constrain travel of the support unit 3 lengthwise along the pairedrails 10 a-10 b and 10 c-10 d. As such, it is preferred that theT-shaped guides 23 a, 23 c be comprised of a low-friction materialpreferably a polymer, one example being polytetrafluorethylene, alsoknown to as PTFE.

Referring now to FIG. 22, the nut 21 extends through the elevator plate22. The profile of the nut 21 shown in FIG. 22 communicates loadingexerted by the drive screw 8 onto the nut 21 into the elevator plate 22and facilitates attachment of nut 21 to the elevator plate 22 viafasteners 20 a, 20 b. The nut 21 has a hole through its thickness with athread pattern matching that of the drive screw 8. It is preferred thatthe nut 21 be constructed of a material minimizing friction with thedrive screw 8. Therefore, preferred embodiments are comprised of alow-friction polymer, preferably PTFE.

Referring now to FIG. 23, the attachment of drive screw 8 and rod 27 tothe end plate 12 is shown. The drive screw 8 passes through a hole inthe end plate 12 so as to prevent lateral movement of the drive screw 8but allowing rotational movement. Friction is minimized via a washer 38composed of a low friction polymer, preferably PTFE, placed between endplate 12 and drive screw 8.

Referring again to FIG. 23, the rod 27 is secured within a cavity alonga mounting cap 36 composed of a low-friction polymer and attached to theend plate 12 via a fastener 26. It is desired that the rod 27 be freelymovable lengthwise into and out of the mounting cap 36 so as to enablefunction of limit switch 15.

Referring now to FIG. 25, a second pair of T-shaped guides 23 b, 23 dare shown attached via fasteners 24 c, 24 d to the vertical supportelements 4 a-4 b. One T-shaped guide 23 b is slidably disposed betweenrails 10 a and 10 b. Whereas, a second T-shaped guide 23 d is slidablydisposed between rails 10 c and 10 d. The paired arrangement of T-shapedguides 23 a-23 b and 23 c-23 d along vertical support elements 4 a and 4b, respectively, prevents rotational movement of the support unit 3transverse to the travel axis of the lift 1.

Referring now to FIG. 26, a block diagram describes the control functionof the motor 7 and hence the motion of the support unit 3 within thesub-cabinet 100.

A control module 106 is comprised of a controller/transformer 28 and anoptional remote control receiver 29 electrically connected thereto. Thecontroller/transformer 28 is further electrically connected to a safetystrip 115 attached to the sub-cabinet 100, a limit switch 15 and a motor7 within the lift 1, an optional switch 126 also attached to theexterior of the sub-cabinet 100, and a socket 125 within the sub-cabinet100.

Lift 1 function is initiated by a remote control receiver 29 and/or aswitch 126. The remote control receiver 29 is an electrical componentunderstood in the art capable of receiving wireless commands, via eitheran RF or an IR signal, as to the transmission of power from thecontroller/transformer 28 to the motor 7. A mechanical button or toggletype device, both understood in the art, is applicable to the switch 126and provides for the ON and OFF transmission of power from thecontroller/transformer 28 to the motor 7. The controller/transformed 28,also a component understood in the art, receives AC power via a powercord 25 thereafter converting it to DC before communicating it to themotor 7 in a controlled fashion. Contact between elevator plate 22 andstop 16 a moves the rod 27 downward thereby mechanically tripping thelimit switch 15 and sending an electrical command to thecontroller/transformer 28 to terminate power to the motor 7. Likewise,contact between elevator plate 22 and stop 16 b moves the rod 27 upwardthereby mechanically tripping the limit switch 15 and sending anelectrical command to the controller/transformer 28 to terminate powerto the motor 7. In either event, rotation of the drive screw 8 ceasesthereby stopping travel of support unit 3. Additionally, the rotationaldirection of the motor 7 is reversed for a subsequent reactivation ofthe motor 7.

The safety strip 115 is a contact sensitive device understood in the artthat communicates the occurrence of a physical contact between an objectand the safety strip 115 to the controller/transformer 28. An exemplarysafety strip 115 includes the pressure sensitive device described andclaimed by Burgess in U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,617. Upon receipt of a contactby the safety strip 115, the controller/transformer 28 reverses thedirection of the support unit 3 so as to open the lid 111 therebypreventing damage or injury to the object.

The socket 125 is a device understood in the art that facilitates anelectrical connection between the controller/transformer 28 and thetelevision 105. The controller/transformer 28 regulated power to thesocket 125 so that the television 105 is ON when the support unit 3 isextended and OFF when the support unit 3 is retracted.

The description above indicates that a great degree of flexibility isoffered in terms of the present invention. Although the presentinvention has been described in considerable detail with reference tocertain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible.Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not belimited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A method of large-scale and rapid conversion of anexisting article of furniture to a furniture system having a liftcomprising the steps of: modifying said existing article of furniture toreceive a pre-assembled modular cabinet comprising: a box-like structurehaving at least three panels perpendicularly disposed about a floorpanel and attached thereto, a lift vertically disposed within saidbox-like structure and fastened to one of said panels; and a controlmodule disposed within said box-like structure and fastened thereto,said control module receiving commands so as to direct motion of saidlift; and inserting said pre-assembled modular sub-cabinet into saidarticle of furniture.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising astep of cutting an opening in said pre-existing article of furniture.12. The method of claim 10, further comprising a step of installing asafety strip adapted to reverse the direction of said lift whencontacted.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising a step ofinstalling a safety strip about an edge along one or more said at leastthree panels adjacent to a movable lid.